1892 The flowing bowl when and what to drink (1892, c1891)

OUR ANCESTORS.

82

Homan Banquet ?Be0crtbeb BY QUINTUS HORATIUS FLACCUS.

21

SATIRARUM LIBER II. VIII.

TRANSL. BY P. FRANCIS.

[This is obviously a satire on a person of bad taste giving a dinner to men of superior rank, where every delicacy of the sea- son, though commended with ostentation by the host, is either tainted by being kept too long, or spoiled by bad cookery, and disgraced by the awkwardness of the attendants.] HORACE, FUNDANIUS HORACE.

They told me that you spent the jovial night With Nasidienus, that same happy wight, From early day, or you had been my guest; But, prithee, tell me how you liked the feast. FUNDANIUS.

Sure never better.

HORACE.

Tell me, if you please, How did you first your appetite appease ? FUNDANIUS. First, a Lucanian boar, of tender kind, Caught, says our host, in a soft southern wind: Around him lay whatever could excite, With pungent force, the jaded appetite; Rapes, lettuce, radishes, anchovy brine, With skerrets and the lees of Coan wine. This dish removed, a slave, expert and able, With purple napkin wiped a maple table;